Multifunctional Duffle Bag And Backpack Combination With Embroiderable Panels

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination includes side panels that can be lifted away from duffle bag/backpack such that the side panels can be substantially entirely inserted into an embroidery machine to form an embroidered design the side panels. A pair of straps can be extended upwardly and joined to form a handle above the top panel of the duffle bag/backpack. The straps can be extended downwardly such that the straps can be mounted around the shoulders of a wearer when the duffle bag/backpack is positioned on the wearer&#39;s back.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is related to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/304,194, filed on Feb. 12, 2010, entitled “Multifunctional Duffle Bag And Backpack Combination With Embroiderable Panels”. The '194 provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a soft-sided bag for carrying personal possessions such as clothing, books, personal electronic devices, and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination with embroiderable panels. The present duffle bag/backpack has a multitude of features designed to appeal to consumers seeking a high-end product

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination comprises:

-   -   (a) a fabric shell comprising an exterior bottom panel, a top         panel, a pair of oppositely disposed inner end panels extending         upwardly between the exterior bottom panel and the top panel,         and a pair of oppositely disposed inner side panels extending         upwardly between the exterior bottom panel and the top panel,         the inner side panels interposed between and attached at seams         to the end panels, wherein the top panel is partially detachable         from the shell to provide access to the shell interior volume;     -   (b) a pair of outer side panels adjacent the pair of inner side         panels, each of the outer side panels attached to the top panel         and partially detachable from its adjacent inner side panel such         that each of the outer side panels can be lifted away from the         exterior bottom panel; and     -   (c) a pair of straps extending from the exterior bottom panel,         the straps capable of:         -   (1) extending upwardly between the inner and outer side             panels in a direction toward the top panel, the straps             joinable to form a handle above the top panel; and         -   (2) extending downwardly in a direction away from the top             panel such that the straps are capable of being mounted             around the shoulders of a wearer when the exterior bottom             panel is positioned on the wearer's back.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the outer side panels when lifted is capable of being substantially entirely inserted into an embroidery machine such that an embroidered design can be formed on the outer side panel while the outer side panel remains attached to the shell. The top panel is preferably partially detachable from the shell by a zipper. Each of the outer side panels is preferably partially detachable from its adjacent inner side panel by a pair of oppositely disposed zippers extending along the seams.

In another preferred embodiment, the duffle bag/backpack combination further comprises a pair of outer end panels adjacent the pair of inner end panels, each of the outer end panels attached to the bottom panel and partially detachable from its adjacent inner end panel such that the volume between the inner and outer end panels can be accessed. One of the outer end panels is preferably lined on its interior-facing surface with a layer of thermally insulating material and its adjacent inner end panel is lined on its exterior-facing surface with a layer of thermally insulating material. The other of the outer end panels preferably has a gasket formed therein for extending a cord, such as a headphone cord, from the volume between the inner and outer end panels to an exterior location.

In another preferred embodiment, the duffle bag/backpack combination further comprises an interior bottom panel adjacent the exterior bottom panel, wherein a volume is formed therebetween. One of the interior side panels preferably has an opening, preferably closable by a zipper, formed therein to access the volume formed between the interior and the exterior bottom panels. Placement of a planar object within the volume formed between the interior and the exterior bottom panels rigidifies the exterior bottom panel such that the exterior bottom panel is more comfortably positioned on the wearer's back.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the present multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination with embroiderable panels.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present duffle bag and backpack combination shown in FIG. 1, in which the straps are depicted as being (in solid and single-dashed lines) in position for carrying as a duffle bag and (in double-dashed lines) in position for carrying as a backpack.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of one side of the present duffle bag and backpack combination showing the side panel partially raised to expose the zippered opening for storing a laptop computer or large book(s), and in which the straps are depicted as being (in solid lines) in position for carrying as a backpack and (in double-dashed lines) in position for carrying as a duffle bag.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the other side of the present duffle bag and backpack combination in which the straps are depicted as being (in solid lines) in position for carrying as a backpack and (in double-dashed lines) in position for carrying as a duffle bag.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of one end of the present duffle bag and backpack combination in which the side panels fully raised to expose the straps.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view showing the other end of the present duffle bag and backpack combination in which the straps are deployed in position for carrying as a backpack on a wearer.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the exterior of the bottom panel of the present duffle bag and backpack combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning first to FIG. 1, a top view is shown of an embodiment of the present multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination (“duffle bag/backpack”) with embroiderable panels. As shown in FIG. 1, duffle bag/backpack 10 includes a fabric shell that includes a top panel 14, a pair of end panels 18, 24, and a pair of oppositely disposed side panels 12, 13. Side panels 12, 13 are interposed between and attached at seams to end panels 18, 24. Top panel 14 is partially detachable using zipper 16 to provide access to the interior volume of duffle bag/backpack 10.

As further shown in FIG. 1, each of side panels 12, 13 is detachable using zippers such that each of side panels 12, 13 can be lifted away from duffle bag/backpack 10. A pair of straps 38, 40 extends from the bottom portion of duffle bag/backpack 10. Straps 38, 40 are capable of extending upwardly beneath liftable side panels 12, 13, and through openings 12 a, 13 a, in a direction toward top panel 14. Straps 38, 40 are joinable, preferably with an openable sleeve 42, to form a handle above top panel 14.

As further shown in FIG. 1, end panel 18 has a portion 20 that is partially detachable from end panel 18 using zipper 22. End panel 24 has a portion 26 that is partially detachable from end panel 24 using zipper 28 to access a storage pocket beneath end panel 24. End panel detachable portion 26 has an attached sleeve 32 that has inner member (shown in more detail in FIG. 5) on which the owner's name can be printed. End panel detachable portion 26 also has a gasket 30 formed therein for extending a cord (not shown), such as a headphone cord, from an electronic device held in the storage pocket beneath end panel 24.

End panel 18 is lined with a layer of thermally insulating material (not shown) on its interior surface such that the temperature of food and beverages stored in the pocket beneath end panel 18 can be maintained hot or cold as desired.

A pair of clips 34, 36 are attached to and extend from end panels 24 and 18, respectively. A shoulder strap (not shown) is attachable to clips 34, 36 to enable duffle bag/backpack 10 to be carried using the shoulder strap.

FIG. 2 is a front view of duffle bag/backpack 10, which also shows bottom panel 15 with foot pads, one of which is shown in FIG. 2 as pad 17, for keeping duffle bag/backpack 10 slightly elevated above surface when placed on the ground.

As further shown in FIG. 2, strap 40 is depicted as being (in solid and single-dashed lines) in position for carrying duffle bag/backpack 10 as a duffle bag and (in double-dashed lines) in position for carrying duffle bag/backpack 10 as a backpack. Strap 40 has a cushioned sleeve 40 a that is slidable along strap 40 and a buckle 40 b for adjusting the length of strap 40 so that duffle bag/backpack 10 can be mounted around the shoulders of a wearer for carrying as a backpack.

As further shown in FIG. 2, a strap 44 extending from top panel 14 extends through an opening in side panel 13 and terminates in a clip 46 from which a keychain or medallion can be hung.

FIG. 3 shows side panel 13 partially raised in the direction of the arrows, one of which is identified by numeral 13 d, to expose an opening 13 h accessible using zipper 13 f. A pocket formed beneath opening 13 h is capable of storing a planar object, such as a laptop computer or a large book (not shown). Placement of a planar object within the pocket rigidifies bottom panel 15 such that the exterior of bottom panel 15 is more comfortably positioned on the wearer's back.

A pair of fasteners 13 e, 13 g, preferably formed of cooperating hook-and-loop fastening material, secures side panel 13 in its closed position to duffle bag/backpack 10. Fastener 13 e is attached to the interior surface of side panel 13. Fastener 13 g is attached to bottom panel 15.

FIG. 4 shows the side of duffle bag/backpack 10 opposite the side shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, strap 38 is depicted as being (in solid lines) in position for carrying as a backpack and (in double-dashed lines) in position for carrying as a duffle bag. As with strap 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, strap 38 has a cushioned sleeve 38 a that is slidable along strap 38 and a buckle 38 b for adjusting the length of strap 38 so that duffle bag/backpack 10 can be mounted around the shoulders of a wearer for carrying as a backpack.

FIG. 5 shows one end of the duffle bag/backpack 10 in which the side panels 12, 13 are fully raised to expose straps 38, 40, respectively. Each of side panels 12, 13 when lifted is capable of being substantially entirely inserted into an embroidery machine (not shown) such that an embroidered design can be formed on each of side panels 12, 13 while side panels 12, 13 remain attached to duffle bag/backpack 10.

As further shown in FIG. 5, end panel detachable portion 26 has an attached sleeve 32 that has a removable inner member 32 a on which the owner's name can be printed.

FIG. 6 shows the end of duffle bag/backpack 10 opposite the end shown in FIG. 5, in which straps 38, 40 are deployed in position for carrying as a backpack on a wearer A.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the exterior of bottom panel 15 with four attached foot pads, one of which is shown in FIG. 7 as pad 17, for keeping duffle bag/backpack 10 slightly elevated above surface when placed on the ground.

While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. 

1. A multifunctional duffle bag and backpack combination comprising: (a) a fabric shell comprising an exterior bottom panel, a top panel, a pair of oppositely disposed inner end panels extending upwardly between said exterior bottom panel and said top panel, and a pair of oppositely disposed inner side panels extending upwardly between said exterior bottom panel and said top panel, said inner side panels interposed between and attached at seams to said end panels, wherein said top panel is partially detachable from said shell to provide access to said shell interior volume; (b) a pair of outer side panels adjacent said pair of inner side panels, each of said outer side panels attached to said top panel and partially detachable from its adjacent inner side panel such that each of said outer side panels can be lifted away from said exterior bottom panel; and (c) a pair of straps extending from said exterior bottom panel, said straps capable of: (1) extending upwardly between said inner and outer side panels in a direction toward said top panel, said straps joinable to form a handle above said top panel; and (2) extending downwardly in a direction away from said top panel such that said straps are capable of being mounted around the shoulders of a wearer when said exterior bottom panel is positioned on said wearer's back.
 2. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 1 wherein each of said outer side panels when lifted is capable of being substantially entirely inserted into an embroidery machine such that an embroidered design can be formed on said outer side panel while said outer side panel remains attached to said shell.
 3. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 2 wherein said top panel is partially detachable from said shell by a zipper and wherein each of said outer side panels is partially detachable from its adjacent inner side panel by a pair of oppositely disposed zippers extending along said seams.
 4. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 3 further comprising a pair of outer end panels adjacent said pair of inner end panels, each of said outer end panels attached to said bottom panel and partially detachable from its adjacent inner end panel such that the volume between said inner and outer end panels can be accessed.
 5. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 4 wherein one of said outer end panels is lined on its interior-facing surface with a layer of thermally insulating material and its adjacent inner end panel is lined on its exterior-facing surface with a layer of thermally insulating material.
 6. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 4 wherein one of said outer end panels has a gasket formed therein for extending a cord from said volume between said inner and outer end panels to an exterior location.
 7. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 6 wherein said cord is a headphone cord.
 8. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 4 further comprising an interior bottom panel adjacent said exterior bottom panel, wherein a volume is formed therebetween.
 9. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 8 wherein one of said interior side panels has an opening formed therein to access said volume formed between said interior and said exterior bottom panels.
 10. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 9 wherein said opening is closable by a zipper.
 11. The duffle bag and backpack combination of claim 10 wherein placement of a planar object within said volume formed between said interior and said exterior bottom panels rigidifies said exterior bottom panel such that said exterior bottom panel is more comfortably positioned on said wearer's back. 